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Government Going Ahead With Two New Leased Office Towers in Gatineau

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - April 23, 2008) - The Government of Canada today announced the launch of an open and competitive process for the development of new office space in Gatineau. This initiative is part of the government's commitment to achieving its National Capital Area target of a 75:25 ratio for office space in Ontario and Quebec, respectively.

The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), and the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, invite interested parties to respond to two Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) and submit proposals for the construction of two new office buildings in Gatineau. One RFQ, for the Central Business District of the City of Gatineau has been launched today and the second one, on 455 Boulevard de la Carriere, will be launched in three weeks.

"I am pleased to announce that we are formally soliciting proposals which seek out potential developers and sites for two new office buildings in Gatineau," said Minister Fortier. "This demonstrate our government's commitment to efficiently managing its real estate portfolio to meet the long-term requirements of government departments while continuing to offer best value for taxpayers."

Minister Fortier noted that this acquisition would provide contemporary office space which meets the government's latest standards for office space, such as the 2004 Canadian Standards Association (CSA) accessibility standards, as well as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold level.

"We have taken a major step forward today for Gatineau and the Outaouais Region," said Minister Cannon. "Our government is honouring its commitment to the 75:25 ratio by delivering concrete results. The construction of new build-to-lease office towers, and the subsequent arrival of new workers on this side of the river, will bring economic benefits for the whole region."

PWGSC is inviting real estate developers to consult the on-line tendering system MERX™ and respond to the two Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) to solicit proposals for the construction of office space to be leased by the federal government. The RFQs will serve to substantiate the competence of the proponents to deliver the projects, as well as demonstrate that their proposed building will meet all the stated requirements.

The first RFQ involves the construction of a 40,000 square metres office building in the central business district of Gatineau (Hull Sector) and the second RFQ is for the construction of a 35,000 square metres office building on Crown land at 455 boulevard de la Carriere in Gatineau. These new buildings which will be operational in September 2011 will be leased for a 25-year term.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) has recently updated the National Capital Area (NCA) Office Accommodation Strategy to address the long-term requirements of client departments and manage its portfolio in the NCA. The strategy will allow PWGSC to replace expiring leases, address rehabilitation needs in aging buildings, improve swing space capacity, and implement the government's latest standards for accessibility and green buildings.

In May 2007, PWGSC launched two Requests for Information (RFIs) for the provision of office space in Gatineau to be leased by the federal government. The information gathered through these RFIs provided PWGSC with a representative list of potential developers and sites that could meet the requirements of the federal government. During the process, the proponents were required to provide a series of documents that clearly demonstrated their ability to meet the government's requirements.

The two Requests for Information (RFIs) for new office space were part of the Gatineau component of the NCA strategy. Following the successful response to the two RFIs, PWGSC is now proceeding with the launch of two Requests for Qualifications (RFQs).

New Office Space - RFQs

The RFQs are for the purpose of soliciting proposals for the construction of office space to be leased by the federal government. One RFQ includes the development of 40,000-square metres of office space in the central business district of Gatineau (Hull Sector). The second RFQ is for 35,000-square metres of office space to be constructed on Crown land at 455 boulevard de la Carriere in Gatineau. The central business district area development is supported by the concentration of PWGSC's major clients requiring additional accommodation in close proximity to their existing operational sites and with excellent accessibility. Such new development will also provide PWGSC with portfolio flexibility over the long-term to meet government and clients' priorities.

Upon receipt of the RFQs, PWGSC will undertake a technical evaluation of each submission and determine the legal and financial capacity of each proponent. The best submissions will be short-listed and retained for the next phase. The proponents who offer the best submission will be invited to submit an Irrevocable Offer. The ensuing analysis will determine the best Value Offer.

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Contact Information

Office of Minister FortierJacques C. GagnonDirector of Communications819-997-5421orOffice of Minister FortierFrederic BarilPress Secretary613-868-1128orPublic Works and Government Services CanadaMedia Relations819-956-2315